Electric-light attachment for levels



J. C. KIRBY ELECTRIC LIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR LEVELS Dec. 22, 1925.

Filed Oct. 10, 1923 Patented Dec. 22, 1925.

*1 UNITED 1 S TAT ES.

' JAMES C. KIRBY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINKESOTL.

PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC-LIGHT ATTACHMENT FOB LEVELS.

Application filed October 10, 1923. Serial No. 867,868.

- to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a. level device such as commonly used by carpenters, stone masons, and other mechanics, and partmularly to a lighting means mounted 1n sald level. It frequently happens that a mechanic usin I a leve is obliged to work 1 n quite a dar place or at night when 1t is impossible toreadily and accurately read the instrument. It 1s quite inconvenient'to strike a match or to hold a lantern or other lighting means adjacent the level toread the same.- It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a level with a light ng means which can readilybe manipulated tO'lllllminate the level indicating means so that the 'instrument'ean readily be read or positioned. 4

- It is va further object of the invent1on to provide such a level having means for supporting said lighting means so that the same will efiiciently light the level indicating means and will. not be in the way in using the level. Y

These and other objects and advantages,- of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accom anying drawings in which like reference aracters refer to the same parts throughout the difierent views, and in which,

'Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of one common commercial form of level having the invention applied thereto;

Fig. '2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of another form of commercial level also comprising the invention; 1

- 4 is a vertical section taken on the l1ne44ofFig.3;

Fig. 5 is a view inside elevation of a 7 commercial level usually made of wood;

Fig- 6 is a vertical section' taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of the lighting means used with the level shown in Fig 5.

Re erring to the drawings, in Fig. -1 is shown a commercial form of level com rising a substantially rectangular bar 1 av-. 1ng spaced openings 2 extendin there through around the interior of whlch a rib 3 pro ects inwardly. The portions of the bar between the openings 2 are provided with recesses or pockets 4 in which are disposed the liquid carrying tubes 5 having therein the bubbles 6, all of which "is of standard level construction. The pockets4 are usually equipped with glass plates or other transparent means so that the osition of the ubbles 6 in the tubes 5 re ily can be seen. In accordance with the present invention, oppositely di osed transverse grooves 7 are formed in t e ribs at the top and bottom of opemngs 2 and at an intermediate point therein. A recess 8'is also formed in the rib? at the end thereof adjacent the pocket 4 and a passage 9 is formed extending from the recess 8 into said pocket. The recess 8 is shaped to receivethe end of a flash light casing 10 and said casing is provided at its end with oppositely extending spring arms 11 having means at the end adapted to engage in and fit in the grooves 7 The casing 10 is also provided with a longitudinall slidable arm 12 by which the flash lightis lighted or extinguished. 1

With the structure described it ,is seen that the flash light'casing 10 is disposed the same is protected by the top and bottom of said bar and will not form an obstruction at any side of the bar. The casing is firmly v substantially centrally of the bar- 1' so that held in position and when the flash light is lighted the light will be directed'through the passage 9 mto the pocket 4. The tubes 5 will thus be eificiently illuminated and the position of bubbles 6 therein can readily be ascertained in the dark. The flash light can easily and quickly. be inserted or rebe held-along one side of the bar 22 with the moved from the level by manipulation of lamp 31 therein closely adjacent either the the springs 11. pocket 27 or-the pocket 33. The casing 29 In Fig. 3, another commercial form of has a slidable member 32 for lighting and level is illustrated comprising the bar 14. extinguishing the lamp. It will thus be with openings 15 therein. Said openings 15, seen that the flash light comprising casing however, are not provided with the inwardly 29 can be secured against either pocket of a extending ribs 3. The bar 14 is provided level bar 22 and when so secured, will efliwith the pockets 16 similar to the pockets ciently light the pocket so that the position 4, already described in connection with bar; of the bubble in the tube in said pocket 1, and said pockets 16 carry bubble-containreadily can be seen.

ing tubes similar to the tubes 5. A recess From the above description it is seen that 17 is formed in the end of openings 15 and applicant has provided a simple and efiicient a passa e 17 extends from said recess into means for illuminating the level indicating the poo et 16. The upper and lower sides means in a level bar. The invention can of openings 15 are provlded with oppositely readily be applied to levels of standard conarranged grooves 18. A flash light casing struction or it can be easily applied to the 19 is adaptedto be inserted into the recess levels when manufactured. The device has 17 and has a holding member comprising been amply demonstrated in actual practice spring arms 20 adapted to fit in the grooves and found to be very successful and efiicient. 18 and be held. therein" by the resiliency of It will, of course, be understood, that vasaid arms. The grooved surfaces at the oprious changes may be made in the form, deposite sides of opening 15 thus form means tails and arrangement of the parts without adapted to be engaged by arm 20. -The 0215- departing from the scope of applicantsining 19. is thus firmly and securely held in vention, which, generally stated, consists in the bar 14. Casing 10 al o Carries the 1 11- a device capable of carrying out the objects I .and extingushing the flash light.

' taining t 22, said plates being held in place by suitgitudinally Slidable member 21 for lighting above stated, such as shownand described and set forth in the appended claims.

The operation of the device shown iniVhat'is claimed is: Figs. 3 and 4 is identical with that already 1, A lev l mpri ing a substantially recset forth in the device shown in Figs. 1 and tangular bar having a pocket therein, a hub- 2 and need not be repeated. bis-containing tube in said pocket visible In' F1gs. 5 and 6, a commercial type of from the exterior of said bar, a passage level is illustrated which is usually made of leading from said pocket longitudinally .of wood. Said level comprises a bar 22 havsaid bar, said bar having openings. thereg p k 27 formed i one dg of through, a recess i the end of one of said in WhlCh. pocket is disposed a bubble-conopenings with which said passage communiing visible through a plate 24 attached to'the nd a fl h li ht i g h i one d 11 3 The P ket- 7 also is pen B posed in said recess and carrying means enside of the bar, as clearly shown inFig. 5. in i aid grooves and carrying a lamp In accordance with the present invention, whereby light is directed into said passage the side of the bar 22 is provided with .red k t to illuminate said tube. cesses illustrated as of rectangular shape in 2. A level com rising a substantially recwhich are disposed plates 25, the outer surt l b havmg a k t th i a b bfaces of whlch l1e flush with the side of bar bl taining t b in said pocket visible from the exterior of saidbar, a passage able screws having them heads countersunk l ading fro aid cket longitudinally of therein. A slot 26 of rectangular cross secid b id 3 having openings theretion extends normally to one side of each of th h, a recess in the end of one of said the plates and extends under $8.151 plate. penings passage communi- One of the slots 26 thus has its longitudinal (gates, id bar having holding means at opaxs directed toward the pocket 27 and the osit id s of said opening, and a flash Q Slot 25 has p gltu i axis light casing having one end disposed in said rected toward a cylmdrieal pocket 33 having recess having resilient means secured to each thereln a bubbleicontalmng tube 28, which side thereof engaging said means so as to pocket is s1 m1lar to the pockets 4 and 16 be heldinsaid opening and carrying a lamp shown n Figs 1 and A flash light caswhereby light is directed into said passage ing 29 is provided having secured along one and pocket to illuminate said tube. s1de thereof a holding means illustrated as 3. A level with light attachment comprisa. cl p 30 preferably of resilient material. ing a substantially rectangular bar having a In operation the flashlight casing 29 will pocket therein, a bubble containing tube in be placed along side of bar 22 and the clip said pocket visible from the exterior of said 30 inserted in the groove or slot 26 and slid bar, said level having an exposed flat surunder the plate 25. The flashlight will thus face adjacent said pocket, said surface have saidtube and bubble cates, grooves in the sides of said opening. 7

ing a groove formed therein, said level also casing in position to direct light into said having a surface disposed opposite said pocket and illuminate said tube, said casing groove, and a flash light casing having a and holding means being readily removable 10 holding means rigidly secured thereto, said by disengaging said holding means from 5 holding means being disposed at an angle said groove. r

to said casing to enter said groove and also In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. engage. with said latter surface to hold said JAMES C. KIRBY. 

